meet Bella Michaels

She's 41 years old, married to Nick Michaels (a pharmacist), with three children (2 daughters Kate and Marshall, and a son Ryan). They live in Portland, Oregon where she teaches the third grade and violin on the side. They have a beach house on the Oregon coast, Canon Beach, where they frequent often. She won the National Teacher Award and was able to meet the President of the USA, and started an organization with her husband Nick called Plant Us Hope that's all about taking care of the earth.


[in the scrapbook you needed photos so she used this target ad for her "husband" page. Instead of cropping out the girl I helped her put her face on it. He's cute, no?]

In the 6th grade the kids are given an assignment to create a scrapbook of what their life will be like in 30 years. Will they be married? Children? Pets? What is their profession? Where will they live? Education? Etc. The assignment was due on Halloween so instead of dressing up traditionally in scary costumes etc., the kids come dressed as their profession. So that day instead of having a Halloween party they had a 30 year reunion, complete with a theme (Moon and Stars) catered food, games, and a photo booth.

I loved sitting back and watching Bella's future world unfold. It seemed from the very beginning she knew exactly what she wanted to be, where she wanted to live, and that she wanted to be married and have 3 children. Part of the assignment was making sure to get all the dates right so she was busy researching how long it took to get a teacher/pharmacist degree, when would she meet Nick, how long would they date, fitting in study abroad to London, figuring out the best time to get married and have her 3 kids, and when to move to Portland. I never realized how intense it could be to create a life timeline.

I love that she was given this assignment and that it gave her a chance to really think about what she wants down the road. Although none of us can really guarantee what our life will be like in 30 years, it sure doesn't hurt to have your major goals in mind so you know where you're going. When I look at the next 30 years of my life I have a clear picture of what I want it to be, and know, the only way to get it is to be working/moving towards it now.

As her mom, what a weird feeling it was to look through her finished scrapbook and wonder, what, if any of these scenarios, would come true? I know one thing for sure, if she comes home with a boy named Nick I'll probably start panicking.

everydayness | october

We found time, just the two of us,


and time at home, together.


We looked for witches at Gardner Village,


and revived game night.


We spent ample time outdoors enjoying the fall,


and equal time indoors getting ready for the season.


Tess finished up her soccer season,


and Megan too.


Bella enjoyed her 30 year reunion (more to come) while Megan continues to learn what a ront de jambe is,


All of us working, we brought our busy life together.


We baked fall goods,


and trick-or-treated for some too. (52 photoproject week 28 | trick or treat)

Happy Halloween

I took these photos after school on Thursday when they had their school parade. Bella went home with a friend so I have yet to get a photo of her in her "teacher" costume (she needed to dress up in her future profession for school), but I will tonight before we head out for trick-or-treating. I'm impressed these two costumes came together in the end, especially Tess' whose came together at the last minute--is there any other way? I made them both, but got Tess' costume idea from Martha Stewart magazine.

Every year when I'm in the thick of it, I think, what am I doing? But in the end I'm always glad I put for the effort to make our own.

I hope you all have a happy safe Halloween!

halloween festivites are afoot....

Happy Halloween!

Enjoy!

costumes + 2 spooky images

Costumes

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Spooky images


Tuesday morning Megan's dance class did a spooky dance for their parents. They turned on the black lights and danced with ghosts on a stick. I loved the haunted feel it gave.



Adam made these drippy candles and I thought the wispy smoke had a ghost like spooky feel as well.

Happy Halloween!

the party

I woke up this morning at 9am to a quiet house. Adam and I were able to unwind alone after the party thanks to Jill and Robyn who took our kids home with them. I couldn't have planned that better myself...the party definitely took it out of me.

The party was crazy. At some point during the middle of it I thought, We've made a huge mistake (said Will Arnett style from Arrested Development). Adam, of course, was amazing with the kids. He can easily get them to laugh and he's so great at making them feel like a million bucks. I, on the other hand, felt like a chicken with my head cut off...trying to over see one game and take photos of another, forgetting to cook the hotdogs on time, and scanning the crowd for the one child who was left alone to get them involved. Madness I tell you.




mummy hotdogs


Lori thanks for helping frost the cupcakes on your day off.


eyeball relay race


witches hat toss




[Our bowling game idea was the best idea of the party. It entertain kids for hours on end. Here's a close up of the pins.]

When it was all said and done I was worried it wasn't as fun as it could have been, but everyone assured me it was fabulous. I need to do better at reminding myself that friends + games + treats = a good time. All and all I would say it was a learning experience, I will definitely know next year, if we do it again, what not to do.

One more thanks to Jill, Robyn, Lori, Jared and my friends Marissa and Joe for helping us clean our house after the party. I've decided as much as I like to think I can do things myself I really do need help.

halloween preps

We're busy around here getting ready for our first annual kid Halloween party. We Adam wanted to do it last year, but it didn't get put together in time so it didn't happen. This year we started way in advance, which is to say the invites got out (see a peak here it's an adam&amy combined effort), but all the other preparations are still in process. This past weekend we all went shopping for various items and the last few days we've been trying to put it all together. I will share all that we're doing when I document the party, but I just wanted to share a few today that are actually done. I realize it's such short notice for any type of Halloween ideas, but honestly I'm just finishing them now so thought I would share anyway.



One of the games we're having is the popular guess how many candies are in the jar and the closest one wins. I was just going to add candy in the jars with a ribbon on top or something like that, but then I found this great idea. You can find the labels here. My photo is not doing it justice, but it's such a simple way to make the jar more festive.



Adam decorated pingpong balls to look like eyeballs for a relay race.



Each of my girls are inviting several friends from school and we invited cousins as well so we're planning on a bunch of kids. Instead of doing treat bags I bought random party favors from target and with the help of these tags I made, I'm going to put them together as the prizes.

items in the works: I've made cupcakes and with Lori's help we'll finish them up on the day of the party. We're doing pumpkin bowling and the bottles (or pins) have been spray painted white...all Adam needs to do is finish them off to look like ghosts. We're having a witches hat ring toss and I'm still looking for two good witches hats, however, I do have the rings...glow in the dark bracelets. I've bought all the food and like the cupcakes, it just comes down to getting it all put together that day.

I admit to being a little uncertain. It's a busy time and it's one more things, right? Well, today I'm singing a different tune. It's fun to see it all come together and watch how excited my girls are for Halloween to come.

Have a great day.

october giveaway

Because I don't have a lot of decorations I use a 12x12 IKEA frame and change up the photo each season to help make everything feel a bit more festive around here. I wasn't sure what to do for Halloween, but then I remembered this photo (below) from when we went to Gardener Village a couple weeks ago. See it here.

I loved the way it looked and thought maybe one of you would too. So I'm giving away an 8x10 print of it for my October giveaway.



Leave a comment if you want to be eligible. Remember this is me wanting to give so please don't hesitate to comment. I'll announce the winner Wednesday afternoon.

P.S. I also put this print in my Etsy shop if you're at all interested.

five somethings

1.


Megan had her school Halloween program today. She was as animated as she always is, but gladly this year she wasn't yelling the songs, though it does make it more fun. In the program the teachers make a witches brew. I found it extremely funny when they asked for volunteers to try it out and Megan was one of the only ones not holding up her hand. She had no desire to try a foreign substance...until she could smell the root beer. Then her hand shot up and explained to her friend that it was going to be good.


[This is her celebrating when she found out there would be root beer outside for everyone.]

2. I spent the bulk of my morning organizing my closet. It was way past due and I figured it was time to get rid of the clothes I never wear once and for all. I don't know why it's so hard for me to give away stuff I never wear, but it is. I was pleasantly surprised, however, when I found myself piling up clothes, stuffing them in a bag, and not looking back. Now I just need to get it over to the DI before I can change my mind.

3.

We have pumpkins ready and waiting for Halloween night. With the warm weather we've been having the pumpkins haven't lasted long so I'm hoping they will make it to tomorrow night. I can't believe Halloween is already upon us.

4. I have been thinking a lot about Christmas. I really would like to make gifts for everyone on my list, but in order to do that and enjoy December, I need to start thinking about it now. I have a couple in progress, but I'm still searching for ideas. Are any of you planning on making gifts this year?

5.


Speaking of projects. I finally picked a non discreet door frame and measured my girls. I've been wanting to have a growth chart for years and have just never gotten around to it. When I was growing up my aunt&uncle used the entrance to their kitchen as their growth chart so I figured if they can do it on the wall so could I. It doesn't have to be anything special it just needs exist. I'm not sure how often I will do it, but I am hoping to fill it up as the years go buy. I even want to include my nieces and nephews. My siblings and I are still on my aunts wall and I love it. I made sure to do it on the door frame so if we ever move I can take it off the wall.

September 4th and the decision has already been made

Meg: "Daddy, what's that girls name I'm going to be for Halloween?"

Dad: "What girl?"

Meg: "You know, the one with the beautiful sparkly red shoes."

Dad: "Do you mean Dorothy?"

Meg: "Yep, that one."

Dad: "Do you even know who Dorothy is?"

Meg: said with utter confidence, "Ya, she's the one with the red sparkly shoes."

Does she really need to know anything more? She found these shoes yesterday and hasn't taken them off since. I'm afraid by the time Halloween comes along all the red sparkles will have fallen off. Oh well, at least she would have enjoyed them. I got to be honest though, I don't know how I'm going to make it until Halloween listening to her talk about Dorothy...it's been non stop since yesterday.

It doesn't feel like Halloween today.

Is anyone else feeling this way? I guess with all the Halloween festivities last week it just seems like any other day that Megan is dressed up in a princess dress (she's been wearing her costume since 6:30am, yes this is when she got up) and one more busy night.







I dressed up this year! Fancy that. Sadly it's something I never do, it's not that I don't like it, but I certainly don't want to be the only one doing it and that would most definitely be the case. Last night was different though, we had our yw Halloween party (dress up) so I decided to play along with all the girls.

I wish the photo was better (horrible bg, entry cutting off my head), but I was running out the door to the party at the time and decided to take one since I won't be getting back in it tonight. Can you tell who I am? Yep, Princess Leia. Now if I could only get Adam to dress up as Han Solo.

Happy Halloween!!!

a getaway

Adam's at the gym and I'm sitting here miles away from home enjoying the quiet. I should have gone with him, but I'm feeling lazy and I want to feel lazy today. I've got nothing I have to do and it's been way too long since I've felt that way.



We're down in St. George for a few days. I specifically came down to help my dad with his computer, which I have done successfully by evidence of this post, and with Kathy's and Jill's generosity (each watching the girls for a night) Adam came along with me. He is making his way back today to pick up the girls and I'll be home Monday. So my break continues until then.

Last night we all went to Vegas.




It was my grand plan when I realized Adam would be coming with me for him to take me to Delmonico Stakehouse, Emeril's restaurant that I keep hearing about. It was, needless to say delicious and worth every penny, though I was full after they brought out the salad and wondered how I was going to eat my entree. We were also going to go to a Cirque Du Soleil show while there, but that would have gotten us home way too late so we opted just for the meal.

So I hope you're all enjoying your last weekend in October. It's so strange for me to think we're nearing, only a few weeks now, into the holiday season. To me it should already be November since we had our school Halloween parades, parties, and programs Thursday. Don't ask me why, it's the way it is and I can't do much about it. Anyway, I sadly had to tell Bella and Tess I wouldn't be able to go to their school parade or parties, since Megan's event started at the same time. It was a sad state of affairs with both looking at me totally disappointed, but what was I suppose to do? I thought it was best to go to Megan's since she was actually singing, see video, but then I realized Tess was singing too...I guess I can't win. I had my mom go to the parade so at least they saw someone they knew and just hoped I would make it in time for the program.


Luckily I arrived just in time to see the end of Tess' program. It's a bummer when things overlap like that and your unable to participate. I don't know what parents do with 6 kids to juggle around.

I'm off, but before I go one last little something I got for my girls. I'm not sure if they'll taste good, but man they looked so much like childhood I just couldn't resist. Found at FAO Schwarz.



Enjoy your weekend!

more thursday randomness

I came home from yw Tuesday night to this and some fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. He, of course, was already asleep, but his efforts did the trick...I felt loved and thought of.

I woke up this morning to all this whiteness. I'm not ready for the 30's just yet. I need the fall to slow down.

It was another successful book club last night here at my abode. Lori made these fabulous Halloween chocolate cupcakes, so very Martha Stewart. I just couldn't resist making it my banner for the next few weeks. Isn't she amazing with frosting?

Just had to share a recent favorite of mine. I was taking photos of little things around my home and Megan, in true form, was next to me lying on the floor waiting for me to cut her apple. As I walked passed her I shot it.